Mat-Su Guidebook

Lucas
Mat-Su Guidebook

Sightseeing

An awesome summer hike - the trail is steep so if you’re looking for a leg workout this is it. Great views of the whole Mat-Su! This hike is moderate difficulty and should take from 3-5 hours.
6 personas locales recomiendan
Lazy Mountain
6 personas locales recomiendan
An awesome summer hike - the trail is steep so if you’re looking for a leg workout this is it. Great views of the whole Mat-Su! This hike is moderate difficulty and should take from 3-5 hours.
A short hike with spectacular views of the Chugach and Talkeetna mountains, the valley below, and the Knik glacier. The West Butte Trail is much easier for children and is shaded from the sun by an old growth forest. The Sandvik Family trail is very steep and dusty but a fun adventure.
14 personas locales recomiendan
Bodenburg Butte
14 personas locales recomiendan
A short hike with spectacular views of the Chugach and Talkeetna mountains, the valley below, and the Knik glacier. The West Butte Trail is much easier for children and is shaded from the sun by an old growth forest. The Sandvik Family trail is very steep and dusty but a fun adventure.
Beautiful place for picnics, biking, kayaking and camping. You can also start the Twin Peaks Hike here!
75 personas locales recomiendan
Eklutna Lake
75 personas locales recomiendan
Beautiful place for picnics, biking, kayaking and camping. You can also start the Twin Peaks Hike here!
A great place to spend a sunny day! Best for 4x4 vehicles and fat-tire biking.
7 personas locales recomiendan
Knik River Public Use Area
7 personas locales recomiendan
A great place to spend a sunny day! Best for 4x4 vehicles and fat-tire biking.
This is a mellow, almost flat hike around a gorgeous lake. This is a great place to see swans, watch sunsets and get some fresh air without losing your breath.
11 personas locales recomiendan
Reflections Lake
11 personas locales recomiendan
This is a mellow, almost flat hike around a gorgeous lake. This is a great place to see swans, watch sunsets and get some fresh air without losing your breath.
A longer hike but absolutely worth it if it’s a sunny day in July, August or September. The lakes are aqua and the craggy mountains are absolutely breathtaking. You’ll feel like your wandering through a movie set. This hike can take up to 8 hours. Be prepared for changing weather and bring food!
10 personas locales recomiendan
Reed Lakes Trailhead
10 personas locales recomiendan
A longer hike but absolutely worth it if it’s a sunny day in July, August or September. The lakes are aqua and the craggy mountains are absolutely breathtaking. You’ll feel like your wandering through a movie set. This hike can take up to 8 hours. Be prepared for changing weather and bring food!

Food

Live music in the summers, outdoor seating, beer, and some dang good pizza - a must visit for people watching and meeting locals.
79 personas locales recomiendan
Palmer City Alehouse
320 E Dahlia Ave
79 personas locales recomiendan
Live music in the summers, outdoor seating, beer, and some dang good pizza - a must visit for people watching and meeting locals.
The best Asian fusion food in town with fast take-out and great casual atmosphere.
13 personas locales recomiendan
Basil Ginger
850 Roberts St
13 personas locales recomiendan
The best Asian fusion food in town with fast take-out and great casual atmosphere.
Wasilla’s best surf and turf with spectacular views of the Chugach Range.
32 personas locales recomiendan
Settlers Bay Lodge
5801 S Knik Goose Bay Rd
32 personas locales recomiendan
Wasilla’s best surf and turf with spectacular views of the Chugach Range.
Late nite spot for fries, shakes, fine mob rolls and anything else you could possible want after an evening out. The food is greasy and low-quality but it hits the spot.
16 personas locales recomiendan
Valley Hotel Open Café
606 S Alaska St
16 personas locales recomiendan
Late nite spot for fries, shakes, fine mob rolls and anything else you could possible want after an evening out. The food is greasy and low-quality but it hits the spot.
A nice cafe with alternative-diet options. A nice spot in down town Palmer to get some work done or have coffee with a friend.
47 personas locales recomiendan
Vagabond Blues
642 S Alaska St
47 personas locales recomiendan
A nice cafe with alternative-diet options. A nice spot in down town Palmer to get some work done or have coffee with a friend.
This is a great place for brunch that features seasonal Alaskan ingredients. The restaurant is in a pre-statehood house with a vintage vibe and stunning mountain views.
Feather & Flour
This is a great place for brunch that features seasonal Alaskan ingredients. The restaurant is in a pre-statehood house with a vintage vibe and stunning mountain views.

Drinks

Intimate dining and wining in the heart of Wasilla with small plates. Outdoor seating in summer.
33 personas locales recomiendan
The Grape Tap
322 N Boundary St
33 personas locales recomiendan
Intimate dining and wining in the heart of Wasilla with small plates. Outdoor seating in summer.
Keely and her baristas will make your morning. The coffee’s great and their customer service is even better!
Keely's Coffee House
1265 S Seward Meridian Pkwy
Keely and her baristas will make your morning. The coffee’s great and their customer service is even better!
One of three bars on the Palmer main drive. This is wear the night life happens. Disclaimer: Alaskan bars are rustic, do not expect a city club or refined crowd.
11 personas locales recomiendan
Klondike Mike's Saloon & Road House BBQ
820 S Colony Way
11 personas locales recomiendan
One of three bars on the Palmer main drive. This is wear the night life happens. Disclaimer: Alaskan bars are rustic, do not expect a city club or refined crowd.
If you’re into kombucha this is the place for you!
11 personas locales recomiendan
203 Kombucha
105 S Valley Way
11 personas locales recomiendan
If you’re into kombucha this is the place for you!

Activities

Meet the prehistoric sheep of the arctic at one of the only domesticated musk-ox farms and learn about their uber-warm fiber.
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The Musk Ox Farm
12850 E Archie Rd
74 personas locales recomiendan
Meet the prehistoric sheep of the arctic at one of the only domesticated musk-ox farms and learn about their uber-warm fiber.
A family favorite! Meet the reindeer of Palmer, AK and their deer cousins.
101 personas locales recomiendan
Granja de Renos
5561 Bodenburg Loop
101 personas locales recomiendan
A family favorite! Meet the reindeer of Palmer, AK and their deer cousins.
Take a flight seeing tour up to Ruth Glacier and experience North America’s highest peak by air.
30 personas locales recomiendan
K2 Aviation
14052 E 2nd St
30 personas locales recomiendan
Take a flight seeing tour up to Ruth Glacier and experience North America’s highest peak by air.
Touch the Matanuska Glacier, lead by a professional.
13 personas locales recomiendan
Aventuras del Glaciar Matanuska de Alaska
66500 Glacier Park Rd
13 personas locales recomiendan
Touch the Matanuska Glacier, lead by a professional.
Take a day trip to Girdwood and the quaint ski town with great hikes in the summer.
24 personas locales recomiendan
Alyeska
24 personas locales recomiendan
Take a day trip to Girdwood and the quaint ski town with great hikes in the summer.

Consejos para la ciudad

Cómo moverse

Rent a Car

Having a vehicle is important in Alaska. Public transit is almost non-existent. Renting a sedan will get you access to most places. In winter (Oct-Apr) a 4X4 is recommended due to occasional snow and icy roads.
Costumbres y cultura

Dress for Comfort

There are very few places in Alaska that will require or even notice your attire. Wearing jeans and a t-shirt is acceptable in almost every establishment.
Reserva antes de ir

Don’t over-book

Alaska has crazy weather mood swings. If you’re planning on flying to a glacier or taking a boat tour, you should check the forecast a day or two before and book then.
Qué empacar

Winter Packing

November-March can be cold! Bring warm socks, pants, boots, hats, gloves, scarves, coats and sweaters.
Viajar con niños

Bring or Buy Afterbite

Mosquitoes are basically the state bird of Alaska. Kids tend to welt up when bitten, a tube of Afterbite on a hike can be a life saver.
Frases útiles

It’s Not Snowmobile

Alaskans say snow machine, it’s barely different but we’ll notice.